Sony PSP January 2006

Mega Man Maverick Hunter X ships

Capcom today announced the release of Mega Man Maverick Hunter X for the PSP. The title is a fresh remake of the original Mega Man X title that debuted on the Super Nintendo, launching a separate Mega Man storyline and a new central character named X.... [Full Story]

New on UMD this week

A handful of movies were released in UMD format for the PSP this week. Among the new titles are: + The Pink Panther + The Legend of Zorro + Live Freaky! Die Freaky! + 20 Years To Soon: The Superstar Billy Graham Story... [Full Story]

Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code goes gold

Sony has announced that its upcoming PSP title Untold Legends: The Warrior’s code has gone gold. The game will feature two online multiplayer options — a cooperative option that features story driven co-op play for up to two players, and a player vs. player option offers combat focused battles for... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Stand, Valentine's, $9 PSP, First Decent

+ Flickr user JavaMoose has a photo set up descibing the process of making a PSP stand out of a 25 cent piece of plastic and a heat gun. [via] + Case-mate has announced its Valentine’s Day Special. Now through February 14th, Case-mate is offering 25% off on all of its... [Full Story]

Homebrew hack for PSP firmware v.2.60

PSPUpdates has released the first hack available that works on all versions of PSP firmware, including v.2.60. The eLoader BETA for GTA works by using the previously discovered game save exploit in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. This hack does require a copy of GTA: LCS; a complete list... [Full Story]

New on UMD this week

A handful of movies were released in UMD format for the PSP this week. Among the new titles are: + Scarface + Escape From New York + Flightplan + The Fog + Initial D + Lord of War... [Full Story]

Sony sells 6.2 million PSPs over holidays

Sony on Thursday reported positive third quarter financial results. The company had sales and operating revenue of 2.4 trillion yen during the holiday quarter, up 10 percent from last year. Net income was up 18% to 168.9 billion yen. Along with its earnings, Sony also revealed for the first time... [Full Story]

Nintendo DS Lite announced

Nintendo today announced the Nintendo DS Lite, a smaller and lighter version of its popular portable gaming device. Available first in Japan this March, the all-white DS Lite is about two-thirds the size of the current Nintendo DS and weighs about 20 percent less. The DS Lite also has a... [Full Story]

Guilty Gear for PSP coming this Spring

Majesco has announced that a new Gulity Gear title, Guilty Gear Judgement, will be released for the PSP this spring. The game combines two titles on one UMD — the arcade fighter Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, plus a brand new side scrolling game, Guilty Gear Judgment. Both games will feature... [Full Story]

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend announced

As first hinted at in March of last year, Lara Croft will soon make her debut on the PSP. Eidos Interactive today announced that Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend will be released this spring for the PSP, PS2, and Xbox. The game is "grounded in the series' tomb raiding roots... [Full Story]

Microsoft to enter portable gaming market?

According to Business Week, Microsoft is considering to enter the portable gaming market in an attempt to challenge Apple’s iPod. In addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would more than likely include games so Microsoft could leverage its successful Xbox brand. “It can’t just be our version... [Full Story]

Konami reveals bounty of PSP games

Konami today announced several new titles and additional details for its 2006 lineup. Among the list of games were several PSP titles, including Gradius Collection, Chess Battle, Metal Gear Acid 2, Silent Hill Experience, Steel Horizon, Street Supremacy, World Soccer Winning Eleven 9, and Ys: The Ark of Napishtim. Complete... [Full Story]

Analysts predict PSP will pass DS in '06

Two separate analyst reports this week have both predicted that the PSP will pull ahead of the Nintendo DS by year’s end. Analyst Mike Wallace of Wall Street investment firm UBS predicts that a cut in the the price of the PSP will spur sales of the portable, pushing it... [Full Story]

Sony acquires SOCOM developer

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that Zipper Interactive — developer of the top-selling SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs franchise for the PS2 and PSP — is joining its newly formed global development operation, SCE Worldwide Studios. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed... [Full Story]

Star Wars on UMD: 'not anytime soon'

TheForce.net is reporting that according to Lucasfilm, there are currently no plans to release any of the films in the two Star Wars trilogies on the UMD format used by the PSP. While this doesn't rule out a future release, it does mean we won't be seeing the Skywalker saga... [Full Story]

Neopets: Petpet Adventures The Wand of Wishing Screens

Sony has released ten new screenshots for its upcoming PSP title, Neopets: Petpet Adventures The Wand of Wishing. The game, which is an action RPG, "brings a hidden Petpet world of Petaria to life in 3D for the first time," according to Sony. The game features more than 100 unique... [Full Story]

Prince of Persia: Revelations Review

Prince of Persia: Revelations is the first installment of the PoP franchise to come to the PSP. Based on the popular console game Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Revelations features some new levels and challenges absent from Warrior Within. Unfortunately with the port came some existing problems that troubled the... [Full Story]

PSP Killzone details, screenshots

The Official PlayStation Magazine UK has published the first screenshots and game details of the upcoming Killzone title for the PSP. The magazine also reveals the game's name for the first time — Killzone Liberation. Developer Guerrilla Games has apparently decided to switch the title from first-person to third person... [Full Story]

The Godfather delayed for PSP

EA games has announced the delay of The Godfather for both the PSP and Xbox 360. "While we don't know what the reason for the delays are, one could surmise it has to do with developing for radically different systems. The Xbox, PS2, and PC versions are still slated for... [Full Story]

Veoh offers 20,000 videos for PSP

Veoh Networks has announced that the majority of its catalog of more than 20,000 independent, user published videos is now available for download for the PSP. Veoh's software automatically downloads videos to the PSP each time they connect it to their computer. The Veoh software is available as a free... [Full Story]

World Poker Tour coming to PSP

2K Sports has announced that its title, World Poker Tour, will be released on the PSP. The game will feature such poker personalities as Antonio “the Magician” Esfandiari, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng, Lyle Berman, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi and Phil “Unabomber” Laak. The game will also feature infrastructure online multiplayer,... [Full Story]

Ape Escape Academy for PSP ships

Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced the release of Ape Escape Academy for the PSP. "As one of the first party games for the PSP system, Ape Escape Academy is an ideal pick-up-and-play game with a varied collection of more than 40 original mini-games including hockey, dodgeball, karate, rhythm dancing... [Full Story]

PSP On TV Review

When the PSP On TV was announced last October, it was the first of several warranty-safe TV adapters for the PSP. While it’s form was rather large, the possibility of playing our portable favorites on our large screen was very appealing. Unfortunately, it turns out the adapter is better suited... [Full Story]

Shure E4g Earphones

As games have gotten more complex, so have the instruments used to recreate the scores and sound effects in the games. Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, expensive receivers and speaker setups, and even dedicated gaming rooms have become more and more normal, and as all of this happened on the console... [Full Story]

WaterField Gear Pouch & Mini Pouch

We've reviewed quite a few PSP cases that are form-fitting and meant to stay on your PSP at all times. We've always been in the group of "purist" PSP owners that fell in love with the device for its looks just as much as its gaming and multimedia abilities. We'd... [Full Story]

NY councilman wants Sony to pay for ads

Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. says the graffiti-style PSP ads spray painted on New York buildings encourage vandalism. He is demanding Sony remove the ads and donate $20,000 to the city's anti-graffiti programs.... [Full Story]

Video game sales hit record in 2005

Rising sales of PSP and Nintendo DS games helped push the video game industry to a record $10.5 billion in sales in 2005. Sales of hardware, software and accessories rose 6 percent last year, helped by a 42 percent gain in software for portable devices, according to the NPD Group.... [Full Story]

Def Jam Fight For NY: The Takeover announced

EA has announced that the first Officially Licensed hip-hop fighting game, Def Jam Fight For NY: The Takeover, will be hitting the shelves for PSP. The Takeover, a prequel to Def Jam Vendetta, features fighting action between well known hip-hop figures such as Busta Rhymes, Carmen Electra, Lil' Kim, Ludacris,... [Full Story]

Sony announces six new PSP games

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced six new PSP titles, bringing the system's library to more than 70 games. The following first-party titles will be available in the first quarter of 2006: Pursuit Force, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, MLB 06: The Show, Daxter, Neopets: Petpet Adventures The Wand of Wishing,... [Full Story]

SLAPPA intros new Complete Case

SLAPPA has introduced a new PSP case, the PSP Complete Case, and also announced a white and silver version of its PSP Daily Case (PSPworld Rating: A). The PSP Complete Case, like the Daily Case, features a graphite and patent PVC outer design over a xEVA HardBody shell. The interior... [Full Story]

Sony to ship 20 million PSPs in 2006

According to Hwang Chang Gyu, head of the semiconductors at Samsung, Sony has told its manufacturing partners that it will ship 20 million PSPs in 2006. Samsung supplies the NAND memory used in the PSP. Sony shipped over 10 million PSP units in 2005, although the portable wasn't available worldwide... [Full Story]

PSP compatible hard drive case released

SavitMicro has released the new S25 USB On The Go hard drive case for the PSP. The S25 allows users to install any ATA 2.5" drive into the case and use it as both a normal external drive on a PC and as storage for the PSP. The case is... [Full Story]

PSP controlled Civic shown at CES

Car specialty shop Metra Electronics unveiled a PSP-controlled ‘94 Honda Civic at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. In addition to having built-in Wi-Fi that enables the PSP to control doors, lights, and even ignition and steering systems, the car also featured heavy modifications including an electric powerplant,... [Full Story]

4GB, 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo coming

At this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Sony announced that it will be launching 4GB and 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media sometime in 2006. The company was showing off the large capacity cards in the "Memory Stick corner" of the Sony CES booth. In addition, the... [Full Story]

ScreenMax lets you play PSP on TV

Digital Innovations has announced the GameDR ScreenMax Video Transmission System for PSP. The $70 product makes it possible to play PSP games and movies on any TV or monitor. It will be available in February from major retailers. "Resembling an oversized computer mouse, the ScreenMax snaps into two holes on... [Full Story]

GTA: Liberty City Stories hijacks console

In its earnings report released today, Rockstar games parent company Take-Two Interactive revealed that Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PSP will be ported to a "current generation console system." "Additional products expected for fiscal 2006 from Rockstar Games include Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for a... [Full Story]

TiVo testing PSP, iPod support

TiVo has opened up besting testing of its TiVo Desktop 2.3 software, which features automatic transfers and support for the PSP and video iPod. The TiVo software gives users of its digital video recorders the ability to transfer recorded television shows to their PSP or video iPod with the company's... [Full Story]

FHM offers PSP content

Men's magazine FHM is now offering free downloadable content formatted for the PSP. Known for their coverage of all things sports, games, music, and ladies, for the moment the content available includes pictures, videos, and wallpapers of some of the FHM models. Note: the downloads may contain explicit content, and... [Full Story]

Splinter Cell for PSP to be "prequel"

Ubisoft yesterday confirmed rumors that its forthcoming Splinter Cell title for the PSP, Splinter Cell Essentials, will "explain the origins of Fisher," referring to Sam Fisher, the game's main character. Ubisoft is "preparing to make an official announcement and will give more details very soon," which is good news for... [Full Story]

De La Hoya on Fight Night Round 3 cover

EA today announced that Oscar De La Hoya will be the official cover athelete and spokesperson for the upcoming PSP and Xbox 360 versions of Fight Night Round 3. De La Hoya has won several titles in his career, including an Olympic gold medal, the WBC & WBA super welterweight... [Full Story]

Quake II ported to PSP

The classic first-person shooter Quake II is being ported to the PSP. Since older Quake games are available under a free software license, this port is legal — but it requires a homebrew-ready PSP. Controls for the game use both the on-board buttons and the buttons on the PSP’s remote.... [Full Story]

iRiver G10 to take on PSP

iRiver has unveiled the G10, a new portable gaming console and media player. The G10 sports a 4-inch WVGA screen capable of displaying 260K colors, will come in 4GB and 8GB capacities, and runs Windows CE 5.0. The device features a sliding-screen design with familiar gaming pad controls. Further details... [Full Story]

New on UMD this week

Several movies were released in UMD format for the PSP this week. Among the new titles are: + Alien Vs. Predator + Austin Powers + Behind Enemy Lines + The Cave + The Day After Tomorrow + The Doors + Dumb And Dumber (Unrated) + Elektra + Evil Dead 2... [Full Story]

Gamexpert speaker system for PSP

Gamexpert is now offering its 2.1 Speaker Docking Station with Remote Control for PSP. The system features stereo speakers with a woofer to add bass response. It runs off 4 AA batteries or the PSP's power cord, and also features a line-in port and two headphone outputs. The 2.1 Speaker... [Full Story]

Dunhill offers leather PSP cases

Luxury leather goods maker Dunhill is now offering two new products designed specifically for the PSP. The Confidential PSP Complete Kit has a black cowhide leather exterior with tan cowhide interior, and features a fold-up design and storage for UMDs, earbuds and cords. Dunhill's Motorities PSP Case is made of... [Full Story]